ST. KAEPERNICK

Another name has been added to my wall of light, right in between Muhammad Ali and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a section that I have designated for the heroism of men; men who take a stand for a cause bigger than themselves. The world won’t reward them until convenience prevails but I respond immediately. It’s my duty and privilege to bestow due honor upon NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a man that I have informally knighted St. Kaepernick, patron saint of police brutality victims.

I know the media has run this story into the ground but bear with me. We need to start at the beginning. Why did the man kneel? The reason has been conveniently and purposely lost in translation by the imbeciles who chime in on this matter. He kneeled in opposition to police brutality against minorities. It sounds like a cause all Americans can get behind, right? Not in my America. There was no nationwide outrage over unarmed and innocent black men, women and children killed by law enforcement without justice, which is the root problem. The focus rather shifted to a man exercising a right that we are misled to believe that we have.

Colin did what football players are told to do by a coach when he addresses his team. What a man does when he beseeches divine aid. What a man might do before he pledges his lifelong loyalty to his love. He took a knee. No animals were harmed. He didn’t physically abuse a woman. Nor did he allegedly sexually assault or rape a woman like another NFL quarterback whom I won’t name. It was a peaceful silent protest and the fanatic fake patriots went into a tizzy. Why? Because he didn’t stand for that obsolete – has nothing to do with football – church of patriotism anthem and face the flag? What’s sad is that even high school kids were threatened with expulsion from their teams if they didn’t stand for the anthem. Someone please tell me what business this has in a football game? The tradition is a pointless brainwashing.

I say the man is a hero. I alluded to Muhammad Ali in the first paragraph… an American hero. America didn’t hail him a hero when he refused to fight in the Vietnam War. “No Vietnamese ever called me nigger,” Ali said. He was called everything from a draft dodger to a coward to a communist by the media. He was jailed and his boxing license revoked. By standing on his principles he inspired many around the world. They even had “The Greatest” light the torch at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga. You see? They vilify you to send a message and make an example and venerate you an icon when it serves their purpose. Yet he was always a hero to the people.

The same thing was done with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here we had a peaceful man with a message of love. Who simply wanted all of us to come together in peace. I would like to think that in the long run this is what we all want. His non-violent demonstrations and marches for civil rights labeled him a trouble maker and made him a target. The media dug up dirt on him and assassinated his character. Then they assassinated him. Since Dr. King’s peaceful demonstrations were no longer a problem they could now make him an icon using his non-violent, turn-the-other-cheek platform as a template for self-respecting blacks to follow and stay in line. He was always a hero to the people.

This has been done over and again with just about anyone you can name that has bucked the status quo. It’s a systematic lynching that people need to wise up to and wake up from. When someone stands, or in this case kneels, I agreeably stand for them. I will defend Kaepernick the way a hero should be defended. No agenda, just fair and impartial journalism.

“He’s disrespecting veterans, the anthem and the flag.” Stop the nonsense, people. It is unconstitutional to force someone to stand for the anthem. Besides, if you ever read the third verse I can’t see why a minority would rise for anything anthem writer Francis Scott Key had to express anyway. If you want people to stand for the flag then the flag needs to stand for the people. Let’s not be hypocrites. I served in the USMC and I wasn’t the least bit offended. I am however slighted by police brutality against minorities.

“Just shut up and play the game.” Now this I agree with. It is after all just a game. A sporting event for our entertainment. Entertainment is the key word here. There’s no anthem sung at the movie theaters or the opera. No planes fly overhead or soldiers take the stage for a concert. Why are these unnecessary ceremonies and rituals needed before a ball game? It’s because during the excitement and spirited energy of sport is the perfect time to indoctrinate the masses with the religion of patriotism. That’s why the military pays millions to sporting bodies to nurture their audiences with their pro-military pro-war agenda. It’s not part of the game. Stop the senseless seduction rituals and let the young men play the game.

“He’s just seeking attention.” Well… that is kind of the point. He’s bringing attention to a cause.

“He should find another platform for his personal plight.” Find another platform for the anthem.

“Who does he think he is?” A man born free with the right to either accept or decline participation in a ceremony. It’s funny how this anthem that so many love boasts about being the land of the free and the home of the brave until someone does something free and courageous.

“He’s not that good anyway.” Now that’s just cruel. Kaepernick may not be one of the greatest to ever play the game but he’s better than a lot of NFL quarterbacks who currently have jobs. Jay Cutler has been practically stealing millions from the league when you compare his play to his check. Did it ever occur to you that maybe Colin is simply on a bad team? Tom Brady couldn’t even take that 49’ers team anywhere. When you look at Colin’s QB ratings compared to other QBs in the league it’s hard to justify why he hasn’t landed a roster spot somewhere. The only reason he’s not on a team is because he is being blacklisted. The NFL and its owners should be embarrassed.

I stood and saluted the flag when I was in the military because I had no choice. You surrender certain freedoms as a serviceman and you can be charged and disciplined for not doing so. I don’t rise for the flag now. I respect it from my seat. Say what you will. I’ve earned my right to sit. Kaepernick is a civilian and to punish him for kneeling during a voluntary ceremony is un-American. There are those who are boycotting the NFL this year and I don’t blame them. The patriotic politics and hypocrisy are sickening to say the least.

The true patriot took a knee and I proudly add Colin Kaepernick to my wall of light. In time, when it is convenient to push an agenda, the NFL will too. Years later, the media will venerate him a hero as an example of peaceful protest to a more rambunctious age of young men. Peaceful protest? Sounds like I’m talking about Dr. King, right?

I know a hero when I see one just as easy as I can tell a star by its light. The media can say what they want. It’s all a sideshow distraction from the real issue. Heroes are made out to be villains when they shine a light on powerful people. So out of love and respect I anoint him Saint Kaepernick, patron saint of police brutality victims. He’s done no wrong but thugs with badges and guns have been getting away with murder.